Not to spoil a story in the first sentence, but this may well not come together. One month ago Celtics GM Danny Ainge said he would wait until next summer when Avery Bradley was a restricted free agent to talk about a new deal with him. Meaning he planned to let the marketplace set his price after this season.

Bradley started every preseason game for the Celtics and appears to be a favorite of new coach Brad Stevens. Bradley brings fantastic on-ball defense and in the preseason has been one of the more consistent offensive weapons on the team despite shooting just 37.8 percent. (Gerald Wallace has been the best offensive player… what, you expected a consistent Jeff Green?)

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The question, of course, is money.

Bradley is a potential defensive stopper but with questions on the other end of the floor, he’s not a franchise guy. He likely ends up a quality part of a future contending team. You could argue he is worth more than Green and Boston overpaid him at $9 million a year.

Four years in the $7 million to $8 million a year range ($30 million total)? That seems fair to me, but the Celtics may want to wait this year out and see what the market would offer next summer. That could save them some cash.

you cant argue that bradley is a better player than green. Green played very well post all star break with 17.3 ppg on 49% shooting. youre comparing bradleys PRESEASON play v greens PRESEASON play and saying bradley has been a consistent offensive option when hes shooting 37.8%? bradley cant get anywhere near 9 mil for his good D and good cutting ability. he cant run the offense and cant shoot/score much whereas jeff green can probably push his scoring up to 20 ppg and be the teams 2nd best player behind rondo.